Comparing CS Research Methodologies

CS Department Colloquium

Friday 7th November 1997, 11:00 am, SL123

``Comparing Computer Science Research Methodologies''

David C. Brown
Mark Claypool
Stanley M. Selkow

Computer Science Department
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA 01609, USA.

We talk freely about doing more research, but rarely about doing better research. All other things being equal (e.g., we aren't suddenly going to get smarter), better research should be obtainable by using better research methodology.

Inspired by a paper by Yoram Reich, ``The study of design research methodology'', this talk will discuss what a methodology is, and then compare two `extremes'.

The extremes are represented by Mark Claypool who will talk about the methodology of the ``experimentalist'', and by Stanley Selkow who will talk about the methodology of the ``theorist''.

The remainder of the time will be spent in a group discussion of the methodologies we use and how we might improve them, for which everyone will be invited to join in.

Slides from presentation